Tag: debate
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Episode 8: Equivocating and other ways to lose
Summary When is a door not really a door? When it’s ajar! That old joke equivocates on two meanings of “ajar” In this episode we look at how equivocation can impact our reasoning, like when we ask, When is a doctor not really a doctor? We explore a few other ways that reasoning can go…
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Debating
Summary If you’ve ever watched a political debate on TV, you may wonder what the point is. After all, aren’t both participants committed to their own viewpoints, and just aiming to win? Why would we ever think that debate is a useful activity. Nyaya philosophers were big proponents of debate, but not the kind of…
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Introduction to Season 2
Summary How can we become better thinkers and better human beings? What’s the connection between critical thinking and reducing suffering? In this intro episode to Season 2, we’ll learn about the Indian tradition known as “Nyaya,” who says these things are very closely related, and whose ideas we’ll be focusing on in detail this coming…
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Episode 2.1: Disease and debate
Summary What does an ancient Sanskrit text have to tell us about reasoning about the coronavirus and debating with people about its treatment? Caraka’s Compendium, a medical treatise, gives some guidelines for when to bother debating with people, and whom we should trust with our health. Sources & links Online Searchable Caraka Samhita Translation of…
Sutras & Stuff 